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Hi all.. I am taking a 16yr bi-polar girl today. My hubby is very concerned though and he isn't sure about this. The cw says she'll be just fine since we have babies here she'll try to help..I do know she'd had or caused disturbances in other homes, I took this girl a few wks back but all she did was sleep here for 6hrs and then was gone. She asked if she could come back. We have a 9yr,6yr,2yr,6mo,and 8dy old baby. I need some suggestions..Should we have a list of rules for our house so when she gets here she knows them or what? Please let me know of anything to help me be prepared. She'll be here in about 5 1/2 hrs. Marcie
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Hoping you have done some research into this disorder before bringing her into a home with the age ranges you have mentioned.
Bi-polar episodes are cycular and come and go (hopefully she is on medication to address same) and therefore will require great consistency in routine and rules and well as your flexibility when she may be cycling and exhibiting behaviors she may not be in total control of.
Rules need to be clearly stated and written out so there is no manipulation of what is expected at any time (ahead of her getting there). Family meetings can be important ... some of your rules may have to be compromised due to her age (something like a 10:00 curfew may need to be 11:00 depending on her participation in activities, attendance at school games/dances, etc.).
Hope this helps ...
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Bipolar is the most popular flavor of diagnosis these days. In the past few years, most of our placements had this diagnosis. I don't believe that any truly had it.
You said that she slept a lot. Some of those heavy duty bipolar meds do that. It sucks out a lot of energy and ambition to do anything. It also makes them clumbsy and forgetful.
Those that stayed with us gradually reduced the medications and became more active. No one is going to consider it until she is stable.
Good luck. Be understanding. Give her a break if you see that she is trying.
My favorite book is called "An Unquiet Mind," an autobiography by a psychologist with this disorder. I don't remember her name and I've loaned my copy.